Shloka 1
मोक्षोपाय-निर्णयः
Determination of the Means to Liberation
/ अपन कराता बछ। अं क्ज सप्तषष्ट्याधिकद्विशततमो< ध्याय: द्युमत्सेन और सत्यवान्का संवाद--अहिंसापूर्वक राज्यशासनकी श्रेष्ठठाका कथन युधिछिर उवाच कथं राजा प्रजा रक्षेत्र च किंचित् प्रधातयेत् । पृच्छामि त्वां सतां श्रेष्ठ तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह,युधिष्ठिरने पूछा--सत्पुरुषोंमें श्रेष्ठ पितामह! मैं आपसे यह पूछ रहा हूँ कि राजा किस प्रकार प्रजाकी रक्षा करे, जिससे उसको किसीकी हिंसा न करनी पड़े, वह आप मुझे बतानेकी कृपा करें
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca: kathaṁ rājā prajā rakṣet ca kiñcit pradhātayet? pṛcchāmi tvāṁ satāṁ śreṣṭha tan me brūhi pitāmaha.
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “How should a king protect his subjects, and how may he govern and punish when necessary—yet without resorting to violence? I ask you, O best among the virtuous; tell me this, Grandfather.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a central problem of rājadharma: how a ruler can protect society and enforce order while minimizing or avoiding himsā (harm/violence). It invites an ethical model of governance where protection and correction are guided by dharma rather than cruelty or aggression.
In Śānti Parva, Yudhiṣṭhira questions the grandsire Bhīṣma, seeking instruction on righteous rule. Here he specifically asks how a king can safeguard the people and carry out necessary disciplinary measures without committing violence.